Golden Knights’ Perron: Business Support Inside Franchise Translating Into Wins
By ALAN SNEL
David Perron was in his black tights and black long-sleeved shirt after tonight’s whitewash win over the powerful Washington Capitals. He was holding court in front of his locker and got around to discussing the infrastructure of a first-year franchise.
The $31 million, twin-rink practice center and headquarters in Summerlin.
The Las Vegas-style entertainment show bits, videos and deafening fan noise that accompany the Golden Knights’ play on the T-Mobile Arena ice.
The presence and business acumen of owner Bill Foley.
Does all this behind-the-scenes support translate into wins?
“Yes,” said Perron, one of the team’s top six forwards and a veteran who has been around the rink a few times.
LVSportsBiz.com talked with fans today during the Golden Knights’ 3-0 victory over a Capitals team that suffered a 3-2 loss to the lowly Arizona Coyotes last night.
And to a person each fan said the entire game production from the drummer line that enters the arena from the plaza to the pre-game sword ceremony to the videos on the T-Mobile Arena center jumbotron to the sheer fan commotion noise are the best they have seen in a NHL arena.
The Golden Knights’ success on the ice has been unprecedented for a team not even halfway through their inaugural season.
And the fans and players alike believe the spirited mojo of a team playing in the wake of a community tragedy such as the murderous shooting on the Strip plus the infrastructure support of a world-class training center have added up to wins in the standings.
Even the most jaded reporters find it difficult to find faults with a first-year sports franchise that is also the first major league team in the Las Vegas market.
In a press conference last week, LVSportsBiz.com asked coach Gerard Gallant if he is grasping the Cinderella story of this expansion team. Gallant said last month he couldn’t believe the success but now he expects wins every game.
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